A Revolutionary People at War

Dreams from the LORD 2003-2006

21 July 2005

A Revolutionary People at War: The Continental Army and American Character 
By Charles Royster

"Prologue: The Call To War, 1775-1783":

Page 5: "Many revolutionaries believed that God had chosen America to preserve and to exemplify self-government for the world. The revolutionary generation had to fulfill God's purpose against the attacks of men who, they thought, knowingly strove to sap or smash self-government everywhere. History was full of tyrants who ruled because they alone were strong or because the people had decided to share the rulers' corruption by selling themselves into slavery. Seen in this light, the British attack was no surprise, just as America's freedom was no accident. Britain sought to subjugate America partly out of envy of America's strength, prosperity, and liberty. Britain and America were like Cain and Abel, but Americans would defend themselves. Having been chosen by God to show how self-government enabled a people to flourish--and holding this promise in trust for the world--what could Americans expect but assault? In the New Jersey Journal, 'A Soldier' said, 'We ought to rejoice that the ALMIGHTY Governor of the Universe hath given us a station so honourable, and planted us the guardians of liberty, while the greatest part of mankind rise and fall undistinguished as bubbles on the common stream.'"

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"There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation.  One is by the sword.  The other is by debt."

--John Adams


The Bullet Proof President

Freedom to Bear Arms
Shays' Rebellion

The Greatest Speech in History?  Alexander the Great & The Opis Mutiny

Quotes from Thomas Jefferson

These are some quotes from Thomas Jefferson. It looks like Jefferson is describing the United States in 2010:


"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe."

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world."

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."

"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government."

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."

"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery."

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property--until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."

The International (2009 film)

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The motto on New Hampshire license plates reads: "Live Free or Die." I wish we all had New Hampshire license plates.

Shays' Rebellion and the U.S. Constitution
The Battle of Athens, Tennessee
Born Fighting:  How the Scots-Irish Shaped America by James Webb
The Mystery of the "Stranger" at the Signing of the Declaration
A Dream about Donald Trump

A Revolutionary People at War

The American Flag:  A Christian Symbol